Present simple
Overview
This beginner ESL lesson plan focuses on teaching the present simple tense along with its structure and usage in affirmative and negative statements. The main objective is to help learners construct accurate sentences and develop a solid foundation for expressing hobbies and routines.
The lesson begins with an example boardwork tailored to introduce the target language. Following that, students will participate in several low-resource classroom activities, including targeted writing and speaking exercises. Finally, the lesson ends with a fun and collaborative classroom game that aims to consolidate learning and ensure that students leave the class with a confident understanding of the present simple tense.
Lesson Outline
Classroom activities
Use of the board
Students review the grammar and look at some basic examples of the simple present tense.
Step through examples of the present simple tense. Focus on how verbs change between the first and third person and the use of the verb 'do' in the negative.
Are you positive?
A writing activity where students create sentences using the target language for this lesson.
Activity table
The students work in pairs to complete a table by matching everyday activities to the correct verb.
A typical day
The students will use the target grammar to write sentences about their day.
True or False?
Students must decide which of their partner's statements are true or false.
Classroom games
Long sentence
The students try to make a present simple statement that stretches the whole way round the class.
More ESL lesson plans for beginners
Our suggested next lesson is on present simple questions. If you've found these materials helpful, be sure to check out our complete list of ESL lesson plans for upper-beginners, as well as our entire selection of ESL lesson plans. Additionally, if you use an iOS or Android device, have a look at the TEFL Handbook app. An ESL lesson planner for English teachers. It has a lot more content and gives you faster access to our ESL resources, making it easier to use in class.
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- 750+ Low-prep classroom activity ideas
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750+ Low-prep classroom activity ideas
1100+ Printable ESL flashcards
180+ ESL lesson plans
8 Distinct language levels
Offline access through the TEFLHandbook app
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